Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Buying a home for the Taxes

So a guy a know who owns a couple houses told me

about this house down the street that he used to take

care of had been empty for at least two years. The guy

who lived there died and his daughter just left it there. I

called this lady and she said she wanted nothing to do

with the house. I told her that I was going to move into it

and she said she didnt care, and if I called her again

she would call the police. So I sent my father up to the

city office and they said something like the taxes had

been paid for 2003 by a man but none since then. From

what i got from my dad it seems that if i pay the back

taxes on the house that i can file for a quick claim deed

and the house will be mine. Is there any truth to this or

is there more to this situation that i need to be aware of.

The lady at city hall told my dad that people do this all

the time. I just had twins and can't afford a house of my

own and this would be a great oppurtunity for me, so if

anyone could help i would greatly appreciate it.


Asked on 11/28/05, 11:18 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

George Zuganelis Zuganelis & Zuganelis, Attorneys at Law, P.C.

Re: Buying a home for the Taxes

If you purchase the taxes on the house, the daughter has 18 months to redeem it. She would have to pay you the amount of the taxes, plus 19% per year. If she doesn't redeem it in that time, the property is yours. You have one other problem. You said that "a man paid the 2003 taxes." He is probably doing the same thing you are doing. You had better check this out before you do anything.

Read more
Answered on 11/28/05, 1:21 pm
Thomas Moens Moens Law Offices, Chartered

Re: Buying a home for the Taxes

It is not adequate to just pay the back taxes. You will need to buy the taxes at the tax sale which your county conducts every year. You will need to call them to determine the date and time. Even if you are the successful bidder at the tax sale, if someone has already purchased the 2003 taxes, as your question seems to indicate, they will get the property, and you will be second in line to them. Tax buying is not a simple operation, so please get some direction before you attempt this.

Read more
Answered on 11/30/05, 4:28 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in Illinois